Enhanced vehicle monitoring

ABSTRACT

A method for an enhanced vehicle monitoring system that utilizes cameras and other sensors to determine the state of the interior and/or exterior of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises detecting that a driver has exited a vehicle. The method further comprises monitoring a state of the vehicle. The method further comprises determining based, at least in part, on the monitoring, if an object has been left in the vehicle unintentionally or if the vehicle has been left running unattended. The method further comprises, upon determining that the object has been left in the vehicle or the vehicle has been left running unattended, sending a notification to the driver.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of communicationsystems, and more particularly to communication systems between vehiclesand owners.

Computer vision is an interdisciplinary field that deals with howcomputers can be made to gain high-level understanding from digitalimages or videos. In general, computer vision seeks to automate tasksthat the human visual system can perform. Computer vision tasks includemethods for acquiring, processing, analyzing and understanding digitalimages, and in general, deal with the extraction of high-dimensionaldata from the real world in order to produce numerical or symbolicinformation. Image data can take many forms, such as still images, videosequences, views from multiple cameras, or multi-dimensional data from amedical scanner.

In the field of computer vision, object recognition is a technology forfinding and identifying objects in an image or video sequence. Objectdetection can be a difficult endeavor, as objects in images may varysomewhat in different viewpoints, in different sizes and scales, or evenwhen they are translated or rotated. In some object detection systems,objects can even be recognized when they are partially obstructed fromview.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer programproduct, and system for an enhanced vehicle monitoring system thatutilizes cameras and other sensors to determine the state of theinterior and/or exterior of a vehicle. The method comprises detectingthat a driver has exited a vehicle. The method further comprisesmonitoring a state of the vehicle. The method further comprisesdetermining based, at least in part, on the monitoring, if an object hasbeen left in the vehicle unintentionally or if the vehicle has been leftrunning unattended. The method further comprises, upon determining thatthe object has been left in the vehicle or the vehicle has been leftrunning unattended, sending a notification to the driver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram depicting a cloud computingenvironment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a vehiclecommunication environment, in an embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a monitor software,on a computer within the data processing environment of FIG. 1, forscanning the inside of a vehicle prior to detecting a driver entering,and for authenticating the driver, in an embodiment in accordance withthe present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a forgotten purse left in a vehicle, in anembodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a monitor software,on a computer within the data processing environment of FIG. 1, forscanning the inside of a vehicle, upon detecting a driver exiting, anddetermining if the driver misplaced any items, in an embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a monitor software,on a computer within the data processing environment of FIG. 1, fordetecting a vehicle was left running in a closed garage, in anembodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict a vehicle being doubled parked, in an embodimentin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a monitor software,on a computer within the data processing environment of FIG. 1, formonitoring the surrounding area outside a vehicle and reporting eventsto a driver of the vehicle, in an embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram of components of a vehicle executingmonitor software, in an embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Existing vehicle monitoring systems typically include alarms, globalpositioning system (GPS) tracking devices, and/or sensors related tovehicle maintenance. While beneficial, these existing systems aretraditionally directed to monitoring specific vehicle characteristics,and are not equipped to determine the general state of the interiorand/or exterior of a vehicle (for example, items contained within thevehicle, individuals entering/exiting the vehicle, and/or itemsimmediately surrounding the vehicle). Embodiments of the presentinvention include an enhanced vehicle monitoring system that utilizescameras and other sensors to determine the state of the interior and/orexterior of a vehicle. Upon determining this state information,embodiments of the present invention can then use the state informationto provide machine-logic based alerts and recommendations to the owneror driver of the vehicle.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the Figures.

It is to be understood that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure that includes anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 includes one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may include applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and monitor software 96.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram, generally designated 300,illustrating a vehicle communication environment, in an embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

Vehicle communication environment 300 includes vehicle 302, mobiledevice 320, monitor service 330, and other computing devices (notshown), all interconnected over network 318. Vehicle 302 includes randomaccess memory (RAM) 304, central processing unit (CPU) 306, persistentstorage 308, camera 310, and sensor 312. Vehicle 302 may contain a Webserver, or any other electronic device or computing system, capable ofprocessing program instructions and receiving and sending data. In someembodiments, components of vehicle 302 may include a laptop computer, atablet computer, a netbook computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktopcomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or anyprogrammable electronic device capable of communicating over a dataconnection to network 318. In other embodiments, vehicle 302 may utilizemultiple server computing systems comprised of multiple computers as aserver system, such as in a distributed computing environment. Ingeneral, vehicle 302 is representative of any electronic device orcombinations of electronic devices capable of executing machine-readableprogram instructions and communicating with mobile device 320 andmonitor service 330 via network 318 and with various components anddevices (not shown) within vehicle communication environment 300.

Vehicle 302 includes persistent storage 308. Persistent storage 308 may,for example, be a hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to amagnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage 308 may include a solidstate hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory(ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, orany other computer-readable storage medium that is capable of storingprogram instructions or digital information.

Monitor software 316 is a computer program, or set of computer programs,that is stored in persistent storage 308. Monitor software 316 enables adriver, also referred to as an owner, or a user, to receive detectedevents from vehicle 302. For example, monitor software 316 can scan theinterior of vehicle 302, using computer vision or object recognitiontechnology, to determine if the owner, or an authorized driver, forgotan item (e.g., a purse) when exiting vehicle 302. Monitor software 316can also authenticate the driver upon entering. For example, when adriver enters vehicle 302, monitor software can capture and compare oneor more images of the driver's face to one or more images of authorizedoperators of vehicle 302. In other example embodiments, monitor software316 may be a component of operating system 314.

Operating system 314 is a computer program, or set of computer programs,that is stored in persistent storage 308. Operating system 314 enablesmonitor software 316 to communicate with mobile device 320, monitorservice 330, and other computing devices (not shown) of vehiclecommunication environment 300 over a data connection on network 318.

Camera 310 is included in vehicle 302 to capture images of the insideand the surrounding area outside of vehicle 302 to determine, forexample, if objects have been left unintentionally, or events occurringexternally around vehicle 302 could cause harm to the driver or delaysin the driver's schedule. For example, monitor software 316 can receivea weather alert for a possible snow storm and monitor the area aroundvehicle 302. Upon detecting that snow accumulations have reached acertain level, monitor software 316 can notify the owner of vehicle 302to warn about the weather and extra time needed to travel. Camera 310can also capture images of the driver's face to authenticate the driverusing a list of facial images the owner of vehicle 302 provides. Inother example embodiments, there can be more than one camera 310 withinvehicle 302.

Sensor 312 is also included in vehicle 302 to detect conditions withinthe cabin and/or external to vehicle 302. In the example embodiment ofFIG. 1, sensor 312 can: (i) detect motion inside and/or outside vehicle302, (ii) detect acoustics, sounds and/or vibrations, (iii) detectthermal and/or heat temperatures, (iv) detect chemical or gas emissions,and (v) function as a proximity or presence sensor. For example, upondetecting that a passenger left a container of ice cream in the backseat of vehicle 302, using camera 310 and sensor 312, monitor software316 can notify the driver and include the temperature inside vehicle 302with the notification. In other example embodiments, there can be morethan one sensor 312 within vehicle 302.

Vehicle 302 may include internal and external hardware components, asdepicted and described in further detail with respect to FIG. 10.

In FIG. 3, network 318 is shown as the interconnecting fabric betweenvehicle 302, mobile device 320, monitor service 330, and with variouscomponents and devices (not shown) within vehicle communicationenvironment 300. In practice, the connection may be any viable datatransport network, such as, for example, a LAN or WAN. Network 318 canbe for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN)such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, and include wired,wireless, or fiber optic connections. In general, network 318 can be anycombination of connections and protocols that will supportcommunications between vehicle 302, mobile device 320, monitor service330, and with various components and devices (not shown) within vehiclecommunication environment 300.

Mobile device 320 is included in vehicle communication environment 300.Mobile device 320 may be a Web server, or any other electronic device orcomputing system, capable of processing program instructions andreceiving and sending data. In some embodiments, mobile device 320 maybe a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a personalcomputer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), asmart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable ofcommunicating over a data connection to network 318. In otherembodiments, mobile device 320 may represent server computing systemsutilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in adistributed computing environment. In general, mobile device 320 isrepresentative of any electronic devices or combinations of electronicdevices capable of executing machine-readable program instructions andcommunicating with vehicle 302, and monitor service 330 via network 318and with various components and devices (not shown) within vehiclecommunication environment 300.

Mobile device 320 contains vehicle application 328 that enables a userof mobile device 320 to receive communications from monitor software 316in vehicle 302, and from monitor applications 322 in monitor service330. For example, vehicle application 328 can receive a communication,from monitor software 316 and/or monitor applications 332, that a driverleft an object in the back seat upon exiting vehicle 302. Mobile devicealso contains operating system software (not shown), as well as softwarethat enables mobile device 320 to detect and establish a connection tovehicle 302, and monitor service 330, and communicate with othercomputing devices (not shown) of vehicle communication environment 300over a data connection on network 318.

Monitor service 330 is included in vehicle communication environment300. In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, monitor service 330 canprovide a subscription-based service, to an owner of vehicle 302, thatcan monitor the status of vehicle 302, authenticate one or more drivers,determine if the driver left any items behind after exiting vehicle 302,and/or detect changes in the environment around vehicle 302. Forexample, as part of a subscription service, monitor applications 332 canroutinely monitor vehicle 302. For example, while getting ready forwork, a driver remotely starts vehicle 302 but forgets to open thegarage door. Upon detecting the engine starting in vehicle 302, monitorapplications 332 detect that there is no driver and the garage door isclosed. Monitor applications can then: (i) send the driver a textnotification warning that the garage door is closed and the engine isrunning, (ii) turn off the engine, and/or (iii) activate a garage doorremote function in vehicle 302 to open the closed garage door.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart, generally designated 400, depicting operationalsteps of a monitor software, on a computer within the data processingenvironment of FIG. 1, for scanning the inside of a vehicle prior todetecting a driver entering, and for authenticating the driver, in anembodiment in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 5A and 5Bdepict a forgotten purse left in the vehicle. FIG. 6 is a flowchart,generally designated 600, depicting operational steps of the monitorsoftware, on the computer within the data processing environment of FIG.1, for scanning the inside of the vehicle, upon detecting the driverexiting, and determining if the driver misplaced any items, in anembodiment in accordance with the present invention. The flowcharts andthe associated depictions of the purse left in the vehicle will now bediscussed over the course of the following paragraphs.

In one example embodiment, monitor software 316 detects a driver isabout to enter vehicle 302 as depicted in step 402. For example, monitorsoftware 316 can detect that the driver remotely unlocked the doors ofvehicle 302 using a remote control or keyless entry feature. In anotherexample embodiment, monitor software can detect a driver enteringvehicle 302 by the activation of the door latch mechanism, or one ormore door, floor, or seat-mounted sensors.

In step 404, monitor software 316 activates one or more cameras andsensors and scans the interior of vehicle 302 and the driver's face. Forexample, monitor software 316 can activate camera 310 and sensor 312 tocapture one or more images of the interior of vehicle 302. One or morecameras 310 can capture images of the front seat (not shown), and backseat 500 (e.g., FIG. 5A), the floor areas, and the cargo area in therear of vehicle 302. Upon detecting that the driver is sitting in thedriver's seat, monitor software 316 can instruct the driver to look atthe rear view mirror, where a camera can capture an image of thedriver's face. In other example embodiments, monitor service 330 candirect the functions of step 404.

In decision step 406, monitor software 316 determines if the driver isrecognized as the owner of vehicle 302. For example, monitor software316 and/or monitor applications 332 compare a captured image of thedriver to one or more stored images of the owner of vehicle 302. Inother example embodiments, the one or more stored images can includeimages of other authorized operators of vehicle 302. If monitor software316 determines that the image of the driver is not recognized as theowner of vehicle 302 (“No” branch, decision 406), monitor software 316can inform the owner of vehicle 302 of the unauthorized driver asdepicted in step 408. In other example embodiments, monitor software caninform monitor service 330, using monitor applications 332, of theunauthorized driver and monitor service 330 can take appropriateactions. In other example embodiments, monitor software 316 can use avoice identification of the driver in addition to the facial recognitionwhen authenticating a driver.

If monitor software 316 determines that the image of the driver isrecognized as the owner of vehicle 302 (“Yes” branch, decision 406), oronce monitor software 316 informs the owner of vehicle 302 of theunauthorized driver (step 408), monitor software 316 stores the capturedimages (e.g., back seat 500 as depicted in FIG. 5A) of the interior foruse at a later time when the driver exits vehicle 302 as depicted instep 410. In other example embodiments, the captured images can bestored in persistent storage 308 of vehicle 302, or at monitor service330.

Referring now to FIG. 6, monitor software 316 detects that a driver hasexited vehicle 302 as depicted in step 602. For example, monitorsoftware 316 can detect the driver has exited based on one or more ofthe following: (i) the engine has been turned off, (ii) the key has beenremoved from the ignition (if equipped), (iii) the door has been opened,and/or (iv) camera 310 and sensor 312 do not detect a person in thedriver seat.

Monitor software 316 activates one or more cameras and sensors to scanthe interior of vehicle 302 as depicted in in step 604. For example,monitor software 316 can activate camera 310 and sensor 312 to captureone or more images of the interior. One or more cameras 310 can captureimages of the front seat (not shown), and back seat 500 (e.g., asdepicted in FIG. 5B), the floor areas, and the cargo area in the rear.Monitor software 316 can use sensor 312 to determine the temperature ofany detected objects, such as frozen foods. In other exampleembodiments, monitor service 330 can direct the functions of step 604.

In step 606, monitor software 316 compares the captured images of theinterior to previously stored (i.e., previously captured), images ofwhen a driver entered vehicle 302. For example, monitor software 316compares the newly captured images (e.g., FIG. 5B), to the stored imagesin persistent storage 308 (e.g., FIG. 5A) to determine if anything wasleft by the driver. In other example embodiments, monitor service 330 isnotified of the driver exiting and monitor applications 332 can comparethe captured images of the interior to previously stored images of whena driver entered vehicle 302.

In decision step 608, monitor software determines if any objects aredetected in vehicle 302. For example, using computer vision techniques,monitor software 316 can determine an object was left in back seat 500,as depicted in FIG. 5B, and recognize it as purse 502. In other exampleembodiments, monitor software 316 can use monitor applications 332 ofmonitor service 330 to determine the object. If monitor software 316determines that one or more items are detected in vehicle 302 (“Yes”branch, decision 608), monitor software 316 informs the driver of theone or more detected items using vehicle application on mobile device320 as depicted in step 610. For example, monitor software 316 can sendthe driver a text message of the detected item, where the text messageincludes the captured image of purse 502. In another example embodiment,monitor service 330, using monitor applications 332, can inform one ormore operators of vehicle 302 of forgotten purse 502 by accessing a listof registered users provided by the owner of vehicle 302. Monitorapplications 332 can send notifications in the form of a text message,including the image of purse 502, or a voicemail message identifyingpurse 502 in back seat 500.

If monitor software 316 determines that no items are detected in vehicle302 (“No” branch, decision 608), or once monitor software informs thedriver of one or more detected items, as depicted in step 610, monitorsoftware 316 continues to monitor the status of the inside andsurrounding area of vehicle 302 as depicted in step 612. For example,upon determining that the driver did not forget anything when exitingvehicle 302, monitor software 316 can monitor the inside of vehicle 302.For example, monitor software 316 can periodically check the temperatureinside the cabin. If the temperature rises above a certain level, (e.g.,an unsafe level), monitor software 316 can open one or more windows tolower the temperature inside the cabin. If it begins to rain, monitorsoftware 316 can close one or more windows to prevent rain from gettinginside vehicle 302. In another example embodiment, monitor software 316can detect if an operator of an adjacent vehicle opens a door into theside of vehicle 302. Monitor software can capture one or more images ofvehicles pulling into adjacent parking spaces, where the one or moreimages can include pictures and/or video of the vehicle license plateand the driver.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart, generally designated 700, depicting operationalsteps of a monitor software, on a computer within the data processingenvironment of FIG. 1, for detecting a vehicle was left running in aclosed garage, in an embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention. In an example embodiment, an owner of vehicle 302 uses aremote feature to start the engine of vehicle 302 in the morning butforgets to open the garage door.

Monitor software 316 informs the owner of vehicle 302 that the engine isrunning and the garage door is closed as depicted in step 702. Forexample, upon detecting that the engine has been remotely started,monitor software 316 uses camera 310 and sensor 312 to determine thegarage door is closed. Monitor software 316 then notifies the owner ofvehicle 302 that the engine is running and the garage door is closed. Inone example embodiment, monitor software 316 can include an image of theclosed garage door.

In decision step 704, monitor software 316 determines if carbon monoxideis detected in the garage. For example, monitor software 316 can usesensor 312 to measure air quality inside the enclosed garage for arising carbon monoxide level as vehicle 302 continues to run in theenclosed space. If monitor software 316 determines there is nodetectable carbon monoxide level in the enclosed garage (“No” branch,decision 704), monitor software 316 continues to check for detectablecarbon monoxide levels as depicted in FIG. 7. If monitor software 316determines there is a detectable carbon monoxide level in the enclosedgarage (“Yes” branch, decision 704), monitor software 316 monitors thecarbon monoxide levels in the garage as depicted in step 706.

In step 706, monitor software 316 monitors the carbon monoxide levels inthe garage. For example, monitor software 316 can use sensor 312 tomeasure the rising carbon monoxide level as vehicle 302 continues to runin the enclosed space. In another example embodiment, monitor software316 can notify monitor service 330 to one or more emergency services ofthe situation.

In decision step 708, monitor software 316 determines if the carbonmonoxide level have reached a certain level. For example, monitorsoftware 316 uses sensor 312 to determine that the carbon monoxide levelhas reached a level that is dangerous or critical to humans. If monitorsoftware 316 determines that the carbon monoxide level has not reached alevel that is dangerous or critical to humans (“No” branch, decision708), monitor software 316 informs the owner of the current, orincreasing level of carbon monoxide as depicted in step 710. Forexample, monitor software 316 can send an email or text (SMS) message toinform of the situation and include a picture of the closed garage doorand/or a graphic, such as a graph showing the measured increasing carbonmonoxide levels. In another example embodiment, monitor software 316 ormonitor applications 332 can call the owner of vehicle 302 and play anautomated voice message to inform the owner of the situation and includea current measured level of carbon monoxide detected in the garage.

If monitor software 316 determines that the carbon monoxide level hasreached a level that is dangerous or critical to humans (“Yes” branch,decision 708), monitor software 316 can turn off the engine as depictedin step 712. In another example embodiment, monitor software 316 canopen the garage door using an automatic garage door feature of vehicle302. In other example embodiments, monitor service 330 can detect thecarbon monoxide levels and automatically open the garage door usingmonitor applications 332 to activate the automatic garage door featureof vehicle 302.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart, generally designated 900, depicting operationalsteps of a monitor software, on a computer within the data processingenvironment of FIG. 1, for monitoring the surrounding area outside avehicle and reporting events to a driver of the vehicle, in anembodiment in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 8A and 8Bdepict a vehicle being doubled parked. The flowchart and the associateddepictions of the vehicle being double parked will now be discussed overthe course of the following paragraphs.

In an example embodiment, a driver parks vehicle 302 on a city street asdepicted in FIG. 8A. Monitor software 316 then detects that the driverhas exited vehicle 302 as depicted in step 902. For example, monitorsoftware 316 detects the engine has been turned off, the door has beenopened, and camera 310 no longer detects the driver sitting in thedriver seat.

In step 904, monitor software 316 activates one or more cameras 310 andsensors 312 and scans the surrounding area outside of the vehicle. Forexample, monitor software 316 captures one or more images of the areasurrounding vehicle 302. This can include one or more vehicles parked infront of, or behind, vehicle 302, and the areas to the left and right ofvehicle 302. In other example embodiments, monitor service 330 can scanthe surrounding area around vehicle 302 using monitor applications 332.

Monitor software 316 then stores the captured one or more images of thesurrounding area for use at a later time as depicted in step 906. Forexample, monitor software 316 stores the captured one or more images ofthe surrounding area in persistent storage 308 to be used at a latertime for detecting changes in the surrounding area. In other exampleembodiments, monitor software 316 can store the captured one or moreimages at monitor service 330.

In step 908, monitor software 316 compares current images of thesurrounding area to previous stored images. For example, monitorsoftware 316 can capture one or more images at determined intervals andcompare them to the images of the surrounding area previously stored inpersistent storage 308. In other example embodiments, monitor service330 can capture one or more images at determined intervals and comparethem to the images of the surrounding area previously stored when thedriver exited vehicle 302.

In decision step 910, determines if a change is detected in thesurrounding area. For example, while the driver is away from vehicle302, vehicle s802 and 804 double park, blocking vehicle 302. Uponcomparing images of the street-side view with previously stored images,monitor software 316 identifies vehicle 802 and 804 have double parkedand now are preventing any exit for vehicle 302. If monitor software 316determines that a change is not detected in the surrounding area (“No”branch, decision 910), monitor software 316 continues to monitor thesurrounding area as depicted in step 908. In another example embodiment,monitor software 316 stores the current images of the surrounding areain persistent storage 308. For example, as time progresses,environmental factors, such as daylight, overcasting clouds, and/orrain, can cause current images of the surrounding area to varydrastically from the images that were first stored in persistent storage308. To prevent monitor software 316 from falsely identifying, currentimages can be stored in persistent storage 308. In other exampleembodiments, monitor service 330 can capture and store images of thesurrounding area using monitor applications 332.

If monitor software 316 determines that a change is detected in thesurrounding area (“Yes” branch, decision 910), monitor software 316determines is the detected change impacts vehicle 302 or the driver asdepicted in decision step 912. For example, upon detecting vehicle 802and 804 are double parked, monitor software 316 determines there is noaccess to the street, which can affect the travel plans of the driver ofvehicle 302. In another example embodiment, monitor service 330 canaccess one or more camera 310, using monitor applications 332, to viewvehicle 802 and 804. Monitor applications 332 can determine that thereis no available exit route based on double parked vehicle 802 and 804.Monitor applications 332 can then inform the driver of vehicle 302 ofthe double parking situation to avoid the driver from being delayed uponreturning to vehicle 302. In other example embodiments, where doubleparked vehicles 802 and 804 also incorporate monitor software 316 and/ormonitor service 330, the owner of vehicle 302 can use vehicleapplication 328 to coordinate with the owners of double parked vehicle802 and 804 on a time to move so that vehicle 302 can access the street.

In an alternate example embodiment, monitor software 316, when scanningthe inside of vehicle 302 and detecting one or more objects, candetermine if the one or more objects exceed certain dimensions on theseat or on the floor of vehicle 302. For example, upon detecting the oneor more objects, monitor software 316 can access a calendar feature ofmobile device 320 and determine the owner of vehicle 302 will be drivingto an event at a later time with one or more passengers. The one or moreobjects (e.g., a large box that takes up the back seat area), will notallow the one or more children to sit in the back. Monitor software 316can then notify the owner of vehicle 302 about the oversized one or moreobjects in the back seat, and remind the owner of vehicle 302 about theevent at the later time that requires the back seat to be clear.

In yet another example alternate embodiment, monitor software 316 canuse sensor 312 as a motion detection sensing device. For example, aperishable item, or a small pet, can enter, or be left, in vehicle 302.For example, a small pet can be under a seat and not visible during ascan by sensor 312. Upon the pet coming into view of sensor 312 at alater time, monitor software 316 can detect the movement and/or the bodyheat of the pet and inform the owner of vehicle 302. Monitor software316 can also detect the temperature of inside vehicle 302 and open oneor more windows to prevent the small pet from becoming over heated dueto unsafe temperature levels.

In yet another example embodiment, monitor software 316 can provide theowner of vehicle 302 with reports of detected events in and aroundvehicle 302. For example, monitor software 316 can detect a personwalking around the outside of vehicle 302 and looking into the windows.Monitor software 316 can capture one or more images and/or video of theperson and send a report to vehicle application 328 on mobile device320. In another example embodiment, monitor software 316 can notifymonitor service 330 as well.

FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram, generally designated 1000, ofcomponents of a vehicle 302 executing the monitor software 316, in anembodiment in accordance with the present invention. It should beappreciated that FIG. 10 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Vehicle 302 includes communications fabric 1002, which providescommunications between computer processor(s) 1004, memory 1006,persistent storage 1008, communications unit 1010, and input/output(I/O) interface(s) 1012. Communications fabric 1002 can be implementedwith any architecture designed for passing data and/or controlinformation between processors (such as microprocessors, communicationsand network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, andany other hardware components within a system. For example,communications fabric 1002 can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 1006 and persistent storage 1008 are computer readable storagemedia. In this embodiment, memory 1006 includes random access memory(RAM) 1014 and cache memory 1016. In general, memory 1006 can includeany suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media.

Operating system 314 and monitor software 316 are stored in persistentstorage 1008 for execution by one or more of the respective computerprocessors 1004 via one or more memories of memory 1006. In thisembodiment, persistent storage 1008 includes a magnetic hard disk drive.Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistentstorage 1008 can include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductorstorage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer readable storagemedia that is capable of storing program instructions or digitalinformation.

The media used by persistent storage 1008 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 1008.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage1008.

Communications unit 1010, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices, including resources ofnetwork 318, mobile device 320 and monitor service 330. In theseexamples, communications unit 1010 includes one or more networkinterface cards. Communications unit 1010 may provide communicationsthrough the use of either or both physical and wireless communicationslinks. Operating system 314 and monitor software 316 may be downloadedto persistent storage 1008 through communications unit 1010.

I/O interface(s) 1012 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to vehicle 302. For example, I/O interface1012 may provide a connection to external devices 1018 such as akeyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable inputdevice. External devices 1018 can also include portable computerreadable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portableoptical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used topractice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., operating system314 and monitor software 316, can be stored on such portable computerreadable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage 1008via I/O interface(s) 1012. I/O interface(s) 1012 also connect to adisplay 1020.

Display 1020 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be,for example, a computer monitor.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

DEFINITIONS

“Present invention” does not create an absolute indication and/orimplication that the described subject matter is covered by the initialset of claims, as filed, by any as-amended set of claims drafted duringprosecution, and/or by the final set of claims allowed through patentprosecution and included in the issued patent. The term “presentinvention” is used to assist in indicating a portion or multipleportions of the disclosure that might possibly include an advancement ormultiple advancements over the state of the art. This understanding ofthe term “present invention” and the indications and/or implicationsthereof are tentative and provisional and are subject to change duringthe course of patent prosecution as relevant information is developedand as the claims may be amended.

“Embodiment,” see the definition for “present invention.”

“And/or” is the inclusive disjunction, also known as the logicaldisjunction and commonly known as the “inclusive or.” For example, thephrase “A, B, and/or C,” means that at least one of A or B or C is true;and “A, B, and/or C” is only false if each of A and B and C is false. A“set of” items means there exists one or more items; there must exist atleast one item, but there can also be two, three, or more items. A“subset of” items means there exists one or more items within a groupingof items that contain a common characteristic.

“Includes” and any variants (e.g., including, include, etc.) means,unless explicitly noted otherwise, “includes, but is not necessarilylimited to.”

A “user” includes, but is not necessarily limited to: (i) a singleindividual human; (ii) an artificial intelligence entity with sufficientintelligence to act in the place of a single individual human or morethan one human; (iii) a business entity for which actions are beingtaken by a single individual human or more than one human; and/or (iv) acombination of any one or more related “users” acting as a single“user.”

The terms “receive,” “provide,” “send,” “input,” “output,” and “report”should not be taken to indicate or imply, unless otherwise explicitlyspecified: (i) any particular degree of directness with respect to therelationship between an object and a subject; and/or (ii) a presence orabsence of a set of intermediate components, intermediate actions,and/or things interposed between an object and a subject.

A “computer” is any device with significant data processing and/ormachine readable instruction reading capabilities including, but notnecessarily limited to: desktop computers; mainframe computers; laptopcomputers; field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based devices; smartphones; personal digital assistants (PDAs); body-mounted or insertedcomputers; embedded device style computers; and/or application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) based devices.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:detecting, by one or more computer processors, that a driver has exiteda vehicle; monitoring, by the one or more computer processors, a stateof the vehicle; determining, by the one or more computer processors,based, at least in part on the monitoring, that one or more objects arelocated within a vehicle interior of the vehicle; determining, by theone or more computer processors, by accessing a calendar feature, thatthe driver will be driving to an event at a later time with one or morepassengers; in response to determining that the driver will be drivingto the event at the later time with the one or more passengers,determining, by the one or more computer processors, whether the one ormore objects exceed certain dimensions on seats or a floor area of thevehicle interior; upon determining that the one or more objects exceedthe certain dimensions on the seats or the floor area of the vehicleinterior, sending, by the one or more computer processors, a firstnotification to the driver, wherein the first notification indicatesthat the event at the later time requires the seats or the floor area tobe clear for the one or more passengers; determining, by the one or morecomputer processors, based, at least in part, on the monitoring, whetherthe vehicle has been left running unattended, wherein determiningwhether the vehicle has been left running unattended comprises:detecting, by the one or more computer processors, that a vehicle engineof the vehicle is running, capturing, by the one or more computerprocessors, one or more images of a driver seat of the vehicle, andcomparing, by the one or more computer processors, the one or moreimages of the driver seat to previously captured images of the driverseat when the driver is present; upon determining that the vehicle hasbeen left running unattended, sending a second notification, by the oneor more computer processors, to the driver; upon detecting that thedriver has exited the vehicle, monitoring, by the one or more computerprocessors, an area around an exterior of the vehicle, whereinmonitoring the area around the exterior of the vehicle comprises:capturing, by the one or more computer processors, one or more images ofthe area around the exterior of the vehicle, and comparing, by the oneor more computer processors, the captured one or more images of the areaaround the exterior of the vehicle to one or more previously capturedimages of the area around the exterior of the vehicle; determining, bythe one or more computer processors, that a second event has occurred inthe area around the exterior of the vehicle based, at least in part, onthe comparing of the captured one or more images of the area around theexterior of the vehicle to the one or more previously captured images ofthe area around the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second eventincludes a second vehicle being double parked with the vehicle, andwherein determining that the second event has occurred includesdetermining that the vehicle has no available route to a street based ona location of the second vehicle with respect to the vehicle; and upondetermining that the second event has occurred, sending a thirdnotification, by the one or more computer processors, to the driver.